Afghan Women Demand Political Participation for their 38% Casted Votes

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Press release

Kabul- AfghanistanThe Afghan women, by casting 38% of votes in the Presidential Elections 1393 is a strong reason for creation of the National Unity Government (NUG). Despite of the threats, lack of facilities and security risks, we, the women, have casted our votes for a better future.

The leading Presidential Candidates prior to the elections, the President and Chief Executive Officer in the inauguration ceremony, at the national and international platforms, announced their commitment on women’s participation and emphasized on women’s share in the government. The Afghan cabinet is an important platform where at the London Conference both the President and CEO announced 4 cabinet seats for women that was the headline in the national and international news. Despite the above mentioned facts, we have had accepted the pledge of the NUG introducing three women nominees. These nominees regretfully, could not succeed due to lack of educational documents,possessing dual citizenship and age difference. This is unacceptable to the Afghan women whose only objective is to serve the country and participate in the rebuilding of the country equally as men.

If we divide the total cabinet members into four parts, the women share would count 38 percent, implying that 9 members of total 25 cabinet members should be allocated to women.

Our vote was vital for the NUG. We want the NUG to take serious steps in introducing women in the cabinet as follows

To respect the 38% of women votes by introducing women as ministers, deputy ministers, provincial governors, ambassadors, general directors of the independent departments and ministries.

Given your pledges, we demand the introduction of four nominees for ministries to the national assembly.

If women nominees did not get vote of confidence by the National Assembly, the new nominees must be women.

To consult women organizations in the introduction of women into the cabinet, deputy ministerial, governor, ambassador and independent directorate level

To avoid double standards between men and women in the appointments and introduction in key positions.

Keeping professional and committed women in the decision making levels.

Our demands from the Afghan parliament:

Women who will be introduced and nominated as ministers will play a key role in creating merit based, efficient and effective government. You have an important responsibility for political participation of half of the population with your honest and unbiased votes to these women nominated as ministers.

With your votes of confidence, support the nomination of women as ministers who are eligible in accordance with provisions of the Constitution of Afghanistan and become the reason for the active participation of women in the society.